Conveyer



Oct. 25, 1932. H. H. MORGAN CONVEYER Filed March 17. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 25, 1932. H. H. MORGAN CONVEYER Filed March 17 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY5.

Oct. 25, 1932. H. H. MORGAN 1384112 CONVEYER Filed March 17. 1930 4 Sheets-Shee't 4 INVENTOR /7orace 71 Mor an.

ATTORNEY5.

Patented Oct. 25, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HORACE H. MORGAN, O]? DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR T PALMER BEI] COMPANY, O1 DE'IROIT, MICI-IIGAN, A COR-PORATION OF MIOHIGAN CONVEYER Application fi1ed March 17, 1980.

This invention relates t0 conveyers and more particularly to so-called carryall c0nveyers and has as one of its primary objects tesimplify, render more efficient and. im-

prove generally conveyer systems.

Ocher object-s of the present inventionare attributed 150 the novel constructionof the conveyer anc1 the connection of the load carrying means therewith which renders it possible t0 curve the conveyer in transverse planes and thereby greatly increase the field 0f use of the conveyer.

The construction 0f the conveyer and associated parts thereof as Well as the objects derivecl from its use Will be more readily apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view 0f a conveyer system constructed in accordance with this inverition.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing ni0re part-icularly the manner in which the flexible driving member of the comveyer is supported fromthe track anal also the manner in which the load cairying means is connected to the driving member.

'Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevational view of the conveyer.

Figure 4 is a sectional view tanken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing a slightly modified form of construction.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary diagrammatical view showing still another modification of the invention.

Referring 110W to the drawings, it Will 'be noted that there is illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, a so-called carryall conveyer system comprising a chain 10 and members in the form of trueks 11 carried by the chain at longituclinally spaced points throughout the lengc-h thereof and carrying anti-friction rollers 12 engageable with a suitable track 13 for accurately guiding the chain in a predetermined path. The chain 10 is preferably of the roller type und is formed 0f aseries of links 14 comprising spaced side bars Serial N0. 436,615.

15 having the adjacent end portions thereof p1votally connected toget-her to f0rm tl1e chain by means 013 suitable pins 16 extending through the bosses 15 projecting inwardly from the ends of the bars 15. As shown par planes Without disturbing the load 011 the,

conveyer, I provide the following mechanism. As pointed out above, the chain is supportecl from the track 13 by means oi the trucks 11 secured 130 the chain at longitudinally spaceol points. These trucks are preferably arrangecl in pairs, as illustratecl in Figure 3 oftl1e drawings, anal the corresponding trucks of each pair are spaced from each other a predetermined distance. The distance between corresponcling trucks may vary in aceordance with the design of i3l16 conveyer laut, as shown herein, is substantially equal t0 the length ofpne 0f the chain units 0r links. In other words, the corresponding trucks are connected together by one 015 the links of the Chain designated in Figure 3 by the reference character 18. As shown in this latter figure, the corresponding truck members 19 and 20 are interposecl between the opposite ends of the chain unit 0r link 18 and the adjacent encls 0f the remaining portions of the chain and serve t0 establ ish a connection bet-ween the latter porti0ns Of che chain und the ends 0f the link 18 as will be presently set forth. Each 0f the truck members 19 and 20 are forrned with laterally extending spaced ears 21 anal 22 projecting towarcl euch other and spaced apart a suflicient distance to receive the end portions 0f the link 18. The ears 21 und 22 are provided with aligned openings having the axes thereof arrangedsubstantially parallel t0 the axes of the pins 16 and are adapted to receive the pins 28 Which serve 100 pivotally connect the link 18 to the trucks anal forrn supports for the rollers 17. It Will be unclerstoocl from the foregoing that the axes of the pins 23 also extend transversely t0 the axes of the rolls 12 with the result that these pins perform the additional function 0f pivotally connecting the ears to the opposite encls 01 the link 18 in such a manner as to permit a swinging movement of the trucks 19 ancl 20 relative to each other in a plane parallel to the plane of aclvancement of the chain, 01 as shown herein in a substantial horizontal plane.

The truck members 19 and 20 are pivotecl to the remaining portions of the chain by means of suitalole pins 24 extencling through the bifuroatecl bocly portions 25 of the trnck men1bers and having the axes thereof arrangecl transversely to the axes of the pins 23 ancl 16 and substantially parallel t0 ancl in the same vertical plane as the axes of the axles 26 f01 the track engaging wheels 12 0f the truck me1nbers. The connection betvveen the pins 24 ancl chain comprises suitable attaching elements 27 having portions extencling between the furcations of the bocly porti0n 25 ancl ournalecl upon the pins 24 ancl having spacecl ears 28 extending upon opposite sides 0f the portions of the ehain beyond the truck me1nbers ancl pivotally oonnectecl to the saicl portions 035 the chain by 1neans of the pins 16. Thus from the foreg0ing it Will be observed that the truck memloers 19 ancl 20 are not only capable 013 relative movement abont the axes of the pins 23 lont are also capable of relative movement about the axes 0f the pins 24 which are arranged transversely to the axes of the pins 23. In other worcls, the construotion is such as to permit movement of the conveyer in planes transverse to eaeh other as shown in Figures 1 antl 2 01 the clrawings.

Referring now more particnlarly to the means for supporting the loacl upon the conveyer, it Will be oloservecl froxn Figure 3 that the upper bar 01 the link 18 is provicled with upwardly extencling projections 29 terminating in oppositely extencling foot fianges 30 adaptecl to be securecl t0 a loacl carrying tray 31 by 1neans 01 the securing elements 32 The projections 29 1nay be either se cured to the link 18 in any suitable manner such as by Welding or by suitable fastening elements. VVhile it has been statecl that the loacl supporting trays a1e securecl t0 the links 18, it Will be notecl in Figure 3 that the loacl carriecl by the trays is distributecl ancl sup ported mainly by the truck members' 19 ancl 20. In orcler to accomplish this 1esult, the aforesaid truck mernbers are proviclecl with extensions 33 havin substantially fiat upper surfaces 34 for engaging the underside o1 the trays. The mecliurn. line of the surfaces 34 is preferably in alignment with the axes of the axles 26 so that the major portion 0f the load 011 the trays is carriecl by the trank eng-aging rollers 12 1nountecl on the axles 26. It should be unclerstoocl that the loacl supporting surfaees 34 011 the truck Inembers are not secu1etl to the tray but are capable 023 a sliding muve1nent relative thereto so that the truok members 19 ancl 20 1nay loe swung about the pins 23 without clisturbing the loacl car rying tray.

For curving the conveyer in a substantially horizontal plane, a seconcl track 36 n1ay be proviclecl. This track, as shown in Figure 1, is curved to a precleterminecl degree ancl is supported opposite the rollers 17 so as to engage the latter and eompel the same to follow the path cletermined by the track. The track 13 for the rollers 12 is likewise curvecl so as to insnre proper turning of the conveyer. It shoulcl be uncle1stoocl, however, that nu1ne1ous methocls 1nay be employecl for cleflecting the conveyer 0ut of its path of travel as cliagrammatically shown in Figu 1e 7 wherein a sprocket wheel 37 is rotatably mountecl upon the frame of the conveyer in a position to engage the rollers 17 antl the1ebj compel the chain to curve as illustratecl. In this connection it is t0 be notecl that the rollers 12 are arranged bolow the chain 01 driving member 10 thereby permitting a clriving or iclle1 sprocket to engage the chain fron1 the sicle without interfering with the trucks 01 loacl.

Referring now to Figure 6 of the draw ings, it Will be notecl that I have illustratecl a modifiecl forn1 of truck 1ne1nber. This truck member is especially clesigned for use in oonnection with conveyers where move- 1nent 01: the latter in a vertioal plane is n0t required and clifi'ers from the truck mernbers 19 ancl 20 in that the pins 24 clescribed in connectio1i with the latter truok members is dispensecl with, and the ende of the chain beyond the truck members, 0ne of which is il lustratecl in Figure 6 at 40, are pivotecl (li reotly t0 the truck members by means of pins 42 extending transversely to the path of travel 0f the chain. Thus it will be seen that the truck 1nembers are restrictel to turning movernent about the pins 42.

VVhile several modifications 01 the invention have been set forth above, it sh0ulcl be nnclerstoocl that reservation is macle to make such ohanges in the construction as may come with1 the purvievv of the accompanying claims.

VVhat I claim as my invention is:

1. A conveyer having in. combination, a clriving 1ne1nber, supporting means for the driving member securecl thereto at spaced points anrl loacl carrying means having a driying conneotion with the portion of the clriving men1loer intermediate the support in means ancl having portions slidably supported upon said last mentionecl means.

2. A conveyer having in combination, a flexible driving member,a track for guiding the driving member in a predetermined path, means for supporting the driving member f1om tl1e track inclucling a supporting ele- 1nent carrying a roller engageable with the track, und means for pivotally connecting the supporting element t0 the driving me1nber inclucling a pin having its axis arranged substantially parallel to the axis 0f the roll and in substantial vertical alignment with the latter axis.

3. A eonveyer having in combination, a

traveling chain, a track f0r guicling said chain in a precletermined path, means for supporting the chain in spacecl relation t0 the track including a member interposed between adja.eent links of the el1ain and carry ing a roll engaging the track for supporting tl1e member from the latter, 1neans for pivotally connecting ehe mernber to the enel portion 0f one of said links incluoling a pin having its -axis arranged substantially parallel t0 the axis of saicl roll and in substantially the same vertical plane as tl1e latter axis, ancl means pivotally connecting said member to the end portion of the other of saicl links including a second pin having its axis arrangecl transverse t0 the axis of the pin aforesaicl.

' 4. A conveyer having in combination, a flexible driving member, a track for guiding the driving member in a predeterrninecl path, means f0r supporting the driving me1n bei in spacecl relation 130 the traek including a supporting element carrying a roller engaging the track for supporting the element fro1n the track, means for pivotally connecting the supporting element to the driving mernber including a pin having its axis arranged substantially parallel with the axis 0f the roll and in substantially the Same vertical plane as the latter axis ancl means upon said element in substantial vert-ical alignment with botl1 0f the aforesaicl axes f0r supporting the load.

5. A conveyer having a flexible driving member, a track for guiding the driving 1nember, means l'0r supporting the mernber fron1 the track including a truck having anti-friction n1eans engageable Wibh the traek, 1neans pivotally eonnecting tl1e truck t0 saicl d1iVing 1nember permitting a swinging movement 0f the truck relative t0 portions 0f the driving mernber, ancl a l0ad carrying me1nber securecl to tl1e driv-ing n1ember und slidably supported 011 said truek wh-ereby t-he latter carries the major portion of said loacl.

6. A conveyer having a flexible driving 1nen1ber, a track f0r guiding the driving n1ember, means for supporting the member fron1 the track including a pair 0f trucks carriecl by the driving member at longitudinally spaced points and having antifriction means engageable with the track, means pivotally connecting saicl trucks t0 the driving member perrnitting relative swinging movement 0f the tracksin the normal plane of travel of the driving member, and

load carrying means secured t0 the portion 0f the driving member intermediate the trucks and slidably supportecl upon the latter whereby substantially all 0f the l0ad is carried by the trucks.

7. A conveyer system including a pair of spaced trucks having antiirietion ele1nents engageable with a track, a traveling chain having spacecl encl. portions pivotally counected to each of said trucks, a link establishing a connection between the trucks permitting relative 1novement of the latter about the pivotal connections aforesaid, and load carrying means secured to said link and slidably supported 0n saicl trucks whereby the latter carry substantially the entire load.

8. A c0nVeyer systern inclucling a pair 0f spaced trucks having rollers engageablewith a track, a traveling chain having spaced encl porbions connect-ecl to each of said trucks, a link establishing a connection between tl1e trucks, and load carrying means secured t0 said link ancl supportecl on saicl trucks Wherei3y he latter carry substantially the entire 9. A conveyer having in combination, a track, a clriving member spaced fr0m the track and extending in the direotion of the latter, 1neans for supporting tl1e clriving membei spaced fron1 the traek and also for guiding the said member fron1 the traek, said means including a pair of elements secured to the driving mernber in spaced relation lon gitudinally thereof, a load supporting platform having portions adj acent the ende thereof supported by ancl movable boclily relative t0 the upper ends of said elements, and means connecting the load supporbing platform intermediate the supporting elements 150 bhe driving means f0r driving the former from the latter.

10. A conveyer having in combination, a track, a driving mernber extending in the direction of the traek, 1neans for supporting the driving member from the track and also f0r guiding saicl member fro1n the track, said means including a pair of supporting elements pivotally conneetecl to the driving member a1: spaced points, a load supporting platform having portions supported up0n the upper encls of the supporting elements whereby substantially the entire load on the platform is transmitted to the tracks through the said elements, and means establishing a connection between the driving member and platform intermediate the supporting elements i'01 effeeting a driving connection between the load supporting platforrn und. driving mernber.

11. A conveyer System having in combination, a track, a pair of spaced trucks engaging said track, 1neans connecting tl1e trucks together for1ning a carriage, a driving member f0r moving the trucks along ehe track l1aving spacecl ende pivotally connected to the trucks by means of pivots arranged substantially parallel t0 each other, a loacl Carrying platform supported upon said trucks for movement relative thereto, and means connecting the l0ad carrying platform t0 the means aforesaicl t0 eflect a driving connection between the platform ancl carriage.

12. A conveyer system having in combination, a track, a pair of spaced trucks engaging the track, means for conneeting the trucks together to form a carriage comprising a member having the opposite ends pivotally connected t0 the trueks by means 0f pivots having parallel axes, ancl a driving member for the trucks having Ehe acljacent ends pivotecl tl1e latter by means 0f pivots having their axes arrangecl substantially parallel t0 each other ancl extencling; in a direction transverse t0 tl1e direction of tl1e first-mentionecl pivots.

13. A conveyer havlng in combination a track, a driving member spacecl above the track, a plurality 0f supporting elements comnectecl to the driving member in spaced relation longitudinally thereof, antifriction members for carrying the supporting elements upon the track, the anti-friction members being below the median plane of the driving member, a load supporting member supportecl upon the upper en(ls 0f the supporting elements ancl located above tl1e median plane of tlne driving member, and means establishing a connection between the driving member ancl platform intennediate adjacent supporting elements for efiecting a driving conneceion between the loacl supportin me1nber ancl the driving member.

14;. A conveyer having spacecl trucks adapted to be supported upon a track, a driving member having spacecl encl portions connectecl to the trucks ancl link means establishing a connection between the trucks, ancl loacl carrying means secured to tl1e link means and supported on the trucks.

15. A conveyer having in combinacion a clriving member, a track for guicling the driving member in a precletennined path, means f01 supporcing the clrlVing member from the track including a supporting element carrying a roller engaging the track a11d having its axis of rotation extencling at right angles to tl1e driving membel, ancl 1neans pivotally connecting the support-ing element to the driving member inclucling a pin having its axis arrangecl substantially parallel t0 the axis of the roll ancl in substantially the same vertical plane as tl1e latter axis.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signat-ure.

HORAOE H. MORGAN. 

